Iran launches fresh attacks in Gulf; One Indian dead, 63 injured in Kuwait

TEHRAN: Fresh tensions have erupted in the Gulf region after Iran launched new attacks on regional targets following the breakdown of peace talks with the United States. An Indian national was killed and 63 people were injured in an airstrike that caused heavy damage at Kuwait International Airport. Among the injured are 12 Indians, including three Keralites.‌

According to reports, Iranian drones struck Terminal 1 of the airport early on Wednesday morning. Flight operations were temporarily suspended, but services began resuming later in the day. Several flights were diverted to other destinations.

Kuwait said nearby civilian and diplomatic facilities also suffered damage, although authorities did not specify which diplomatic missions were affected. Kuwait further stated that an attack targeting the Ali Al Salem Air Base, which hosts US military personnel, was successfully intercepted. In protest against the attack, Kuwait expelled two diplomats from the Iranian Embassy.

Meanwhile, Bahrain said it intercepted Iranian missiles and drones targeting a US naval facility near Manama. Iran also claimed responsibility for an attack on the cargo vessel MSC Panaya, which it alleged had links to the United States, near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran says attack was response to US actions
Iran said its latest strikes were carried out in response to what it described as US provocations near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday night. According to Iranian claims, the US Navy intercepted the oil tanker MT Lexie, which was attempting to reach Iran despite a naval blockade. Iran also accused US forces of disabling the vessel by targeting its engine room and destroying a military control station on Qeshm Island in southern Iran. Tehran further alleged that the US actions were carried out with the support of Kuwait and Bahrain.

Contrasting claims over peace talks
Iran has repeatedly stated that indirect talks with the United States have been suspended. However, US President Donald Trump has claimed that discussions are still continuing through mediators.

Iran warned that any future attack by the United States would be met with an immediate response using missiles and drones.

India condemns attack
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Wednesday confirmed the death of an Indian citizen and expressed concern over the injuries suffered by several others. India strongly condemned the attack and reiterated its call for all sides to avoid targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Jaiswal said India has consistently urged restraint since the beginning of the conflict in West Asia and appealed to all parties to end such attacks immediately. He expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and said all possible assistance would be provided to the injured through Indian diplomatic missions in the region.

Flights disrupted
The attacks also affected air travel from Kerala. Two Kuwait-bound flights from Cochin International Airport were cancelled on Wednesday. These included an Al Jazeera Airways flight scheduled to depart at 3:05 a.m. and an IndiGo flight scheduled for 9:45 p.m. An Air India Express flight to Bahrain, scheduled to depart from Kochi at 11:45 a.m., was also cancelled. However, Kuwait Airways operated two scheduled services during the day.